We Like To Partay! 7 Best Things About Black Homecoming

It’s autumn, which is my favorite time of year for three reasons: sweater dresses, the pumpkin patch, and HOMECOMING SEASON!!! As an HBCU alumni (go Hampton!), homecoming has a special place in my heart – it’s a time when I can reunite with friends who knew me back when I had a terrible perm and braces, and reflect on how far we’ve all come. For those of you that don’t know (and even those of you who do), here are the seven bomb-est aspects of an HBCU homecoming.

Anthems

Every year a new crop of songs rises to the top of the charts (and hearts) of HBCU grads looking to capture the spirit of the homecoming season. All the clubs, parties, boat cruises and kickbacks will no doubt be rocking to music that gets the crowd crunk at the first drop of the beat. My personal predictions for this year’s Homecoming anthems include Juicy J’s “Bandz A Make Her Dance,” “Pop That,” and Two Chainz’s “Birthday.” Miguel’s “Adorn” counts, but only as a slow grind anthem.

Where else can you see freshly graduated alumni and old heads party together in unity? The tailgate, my friend. Food, liquor (hidden if your campus is dry), music, and all around debauchery, the tailgate is where people go to catch up on old times and to stunt on people that played them in college. Make sure you stay hydrated, wear comfy (but fly) clothes, and bring a flask! And steer clear of the hopping grandpa bruhs – old habits die hard.

Poor football players. They think that people are coming to see them in the Homecoming game. When will they ever learn that spectators are only here for the band? Because Bandz A Make Them Dance! Bad joke, I know, but it’s true: after the half time show the stadium is emptier than Naomi Campbell’s edges. Drumline, please!

The Hunt

Everybody knows that the single people come to play during homecoming – it’s at the height of cuffing season, everyone has jobs, and folks are trying to get that old thing back. You can tell when people are trying to get chose by the clothes they wear and the lingering look in their eyes. Just be careful, you don’t want to come back with something you can’t get rid of!

Bazaar

Vendors sell everything from dreams to dashikis at the Homecoming bazaar. Always an essential homecoming. Rings, music, books, almost anything you can think of will be on sale.

The Food

I don’t know about you, but there is something about the food at homecoming that just tastes better than food from other places. My first stop is always the fried fish sandwich spot, and nothing beats an after-party Waffle House run. Comfort food always makes you feel at home during homecoming.

If you are strategic, you’ll think ahead and submit your PTO now. You’ll probably be hung over, bloated, and tired, not to mention that explaining “the tailgate” to your co-workers would be damn near impossible. Take two Advil and drink plenty of Gatorade – get your electrolytes back up because it’s quite likely you’ve partied like a rock star.